Spikers ready to build on Utah sweep
The Utah State women’s volleyball team is becoming a force to be reckoned with – just don’t let the cat out of the bag.
After defeating the University of Utah 3-0 in the Spectrum Tuesday and opening the season a perfect 5-0 before falling in five games to Montana State at the Montana State Tournament in early September, it would be easy to say that the Aggies are on a roll.
“We’re underestimated in a lot of situations, so we’re used to being a little underrated,” said Aggie middle blocker Ingrid Roth. “That’s the kind of stuff that gives you more fire against teams like Utah. We kind of have to earn our keep to be
recognized.”
Utah State will look to extend its reasons to be respected on Friday as it welcomes Idaho to Logan for Big West Conference play.
The Vandals are currently 6-4 on the season, including two recent close losses to BWC foes No. 20 Pacific and Cal State Northridge. Each match went five games.
Idaho is hitting .266 on the season and is led by senior Anna-Marie Hammond. she is ranked third in the league in hitting at .328.
The Vandals finished sixth last season in the Big West, and were picked eighth in the preaseaon poll.
Utah State was picked seventh.
When looking at Utah State’s record, a clear pattern emerges – the Aggies have not given up more than one game in any of their victories.
Outside hitter Beth Hodge said she thinks a key to a victory is picking up the first game.
“When you win the first game it gives you a lot of confidence and a lot of pep,” she said. “You get a lot more excited so in the second game you come out firing.
“Once you win the first game it’s like you know you can do it. You just have to push the rest of the way,” she said.
Utah State Head Coach Burt Fuller agreed with Hodge, and said that as long as the team comes into a match with confidence it seems to do OK.
He said that the matches the Aggies have won were due in part to composure down the stretch.
Take the first game against Utah for example. The Aggies were in control with a 26-20 lead before the Utes came back to take a 28-27 advantage.
USU eventually went on to win 32-30.
Take the second game against Utah for another example. The Aggies were up 23-20 before the Utes came back to take a 28-26 lead.
Utah State rallied to score three of the final four points en route to another 32-30 victory.
The Aggies continue their home swing next week as they play Long Beach State and UC Irvine at home Thursday and Saturday, respectively.
“It’s nice to play at home, sleep in your bed and have that kind of energy down the stretch,” Fuller said.
USU has an overall 32-11 record at home over the last four-plus years.
-juag@cc.usu.edu